engine is extremely hard to start

[mxc235]

how to make start easier, especially in cold weather, any tricks? i dont have access to starting fluid. where to put gasoline to make it start from the first time? this is what i did: closed choke, fixed throttle open, pulled. spark is good (i made all clearances as specified in the gxh50 workshop manual).
after a countless number of pulls when it finally started i saw a spark going outside of spark plug. what could it be?
would it be bad if i set idle speed lower than specified? what is the lowest possible number?

 

[mark20]

how to make start easier, especially in cold weather, any tricks? i dont have access to starting fluid. where to put gasoline to make it start from the first time? this is what i did: closed choke, fixed throttle open, pulled. spark is good (i made all clearances as specified in the gxh50 workshop manual).
after a countless number of pulls when it finally started i saw a spark going outside of spark plug. what could it be?
as to the idle speed,would it be bad if i set it lower than specified?

its most likely a bad spark plug, if it sparks on the outside, its the spark plug at its end. (usally, but try closing the gap to .20)
i reccomend a ngk plug.
try cleaning the airfilter, and if that doesent help, clean the carb.
see if that helps, good luck!
also do you have a pictures of the engine, videos of the problem?
this would help a lot.

 

[mxc235]

spark plug is at 0.65mm, spark is big and bright. carb is clean. could it be due to cold weather?

 

[mark20]

spark plug is at 0.65mm, spark is big and bright. carb is clean. could it be due to cold weather?

thats wayy to much, the stock specs are .23-28, no clue where you got your specs.
yes cold is a factor but it shouldnt affect it too much.
i think thats your main problem.
heres a manuel (if you have a genuine honda)
https://www.engine-specs.net/honda/gxh50.html

 

[Lukesky36]

seems they start easiest around half choke for me

 

[Will'smotobikes19]

Wait is he talking about thousandths of an inch or metric? he did say mm. I had a similar problem with a cracked spark plug boot it would give a little zap now and then while I was riding, I’d inspect it for damage.

 

[mark20]

Wait is he talking about thousandths of an inch or metric? he did say mm. I had a similar problem with a cracked spark plug boot it would give a little zap now and then while I was riding, I’d inspect it for damage.

I think he set the gap way to high, .68 Is way off from the stock specs (.24 to .28 is the MAXIMUM he can go). And check to make sure the boots on properly. It should start 1st pull.

 

[JerboaJohn]

.65mm = .026" so his gap seems ok
agree check plug for cracks. any arcing isn't good

 

[Will'smotobikes19]

Yes that’s what I meant when I said he didn’t mean thousandths he must be from a metric country. Heck Canada is even metric isn’t it? They use kilometers.

 

[mark20]

any updates OP?
if you could sent some pics of the engine, that would help us to see whats wrong. because were shooting blind right now.
try to clean out the secondary pilot. this should be done anually.